ONCE again readers and local businesses have rallied round and donated gifts and food to our Toys & Tins Appeal.

It is the third year we have run the appeal and all the items you have donated either directly to our reception in Hall Ings, or through collection areas in local supermarkets go to children and women in the care of Bradford Women's Aid.

Many of the supermarkets donated gifts and food also.

The Charity, set up in 1985, helps support families fleeing domestic violence.

Christmas is a particularly vulnerable time of year for them as they often leave violent and dangerous situations with little or no money and very few possessions.

Thanks to the generosity of Telegraph & Argus readers and local businesses who have supported us, each child will get a present to open on Christmas morning.

Many of the mums too will receive gifts of toiletries and essential items, as well as food to feed their children.

The donations are collected from the T&A office and volunteers then sort them and wrap them individually before hand delivering them to the families.

The food is also sorted and bagged and delivered to them.

Volunteers said the families were very thankful and often tearful that people had thought about them.

Sally Deane, director of Bradford Women's Aid said: "Thank you very much to all the T&A readers for their kind and generous donations to the

Toys and Tins appeal.

"This means that the women and children supported by Bradford Women's Aid will be able to have not only basics but gifts and treats this Christmas

which will make a big difference. It means a lot that others are thinking of them at this time of year.

"During the last year we have provided support to 533 women and children many of whom had become homeless as a result of domestic abuse. We provide safe refuge accommodation and practical and emotional support with the aim of empowering and supporting women to live independently, keep themselves and their children safe and lead fulfilling lives."

Again this year generous readers have given donations of cash which T&A staff have used to buy toys and items and passed these on to Bradford Women's Aid.

Nigel Burton, T&A editor said: "Christmas is a very special occasion for families but for those who find themselves in a vulnerable situation it can be a very bleak and worrying time of year.

"Thanks to our readers and local businesses, the children in the care of Bradford Women's Aid will each have a present to open on Christmas morning and the mums will be able to feel their children with the food people have generously donated.

"It is heart warming to see people thinking of others less well off than themselves through no fault of their own and we thank you all for your continued kindness."